The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression Among Preclinical and Clinical Medical Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah

Abstract

Objectives - To assess the prevalence of major depression among medical students. - To assess the risk factors of major depression among medical students. Background: Depression, a common mental disorder which has been considered a serious problem worldwide. Depression has a great negative impact on different aspects of a person’s life such as school performance, work productivity, relationships with family and friends, and ability to participate and become an active member in the community Design: cross sectional study. Review Methods and Data Sources: A survey has been conduct seeking respondents’ level of agreement rating scale with a series of statements of two questionnaire sections: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), and Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ). Data gathered through an online questionnaire that designed through method mentioned above and distributed to preclinical and clinical medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah. The study will be conducted at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: The prevalence of depression anxiety stress for study participants 11.6%. The prevalence of medical student stressor scale rich about 6.1%. There is significant different depression anxiety stress scale according to gender of participants. Top 10 Statements out of 21 of depression anxiety stress scale according to respondents’ opinions are: 1. I felt that I was using a lot of nervous energy. 2. I found it difficult to work up the initiative to do things. 3. I found it hard to wind down. 4. I found it difficult to relax. 5. I found myself getting agitated. 6. I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself. 7. I felt downhearted and blue. 8. I experienced trembling (eg, in the hands). 9. I was unable to become enthusiastic about anything. 10. I was aware of dryness of my mouth. Conclusion: This study was prompted by the rise in depression anxiety disorder is considered the leading cause of disability worldwide. The results and discussion sections presented high prevalence of depression anxiety stress rich 11.6% within the study sample of the preclinical and clinical medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah. Since the prevalence of medical student stressor rich 6.1% for same sample size.